Technologies for Observing and Monitoring Plastics in the Oceans

Goals and Scope

The event assessed the potential of science and technology to address the mounting global plastic challenge. The workshop brought together experts investigating the sources of plastics in the ocean and scientists and engineers focusing on existing and new observation technologies to detect and quantify plastics in the ocean. The outcome includes recommendations to major institutions and funding agencies for future technology initiatives.

Recognising targets for ocean plastic and related indicators, the workshop examined observation techniques and their potential for deployment. Indeed, UN Environment is interested in finding support for their efforts on developing the methodology for monitoring marine debris along with producing some test cases (indicator 14.1.1 “Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density” of SDG 14). Considering the amount of plastic already present, there is an immediate need to explore downstream solutions for assessing the sources and presence of plastics. Likewise, technologies are urgently needed to detect plastics in the ocean through a range of observation means (underwater, satellite-borne, in situ, ... sensors), to perform quantitative as well as qualitative measurements, and to track the circulation of plastics in the ocean and at the coastal level.

An increasing number of experts and leading societal thinkers see plastic pollution in the ocean and on land as a threat to our future comparable to climate change, land use changes, and species extinction. Science and technology can quantify the extent of plastic pollution and understand the impact of reducing the stock of plastics in the ocean. The workshop delivered recommendations through a technology roadmap.

Participation

The workshop brought together social agents engaged in assessing and reducing the impacts of plastics in the ocean with experts assessing the sources of plastics in the ocean and scientists and developers focusing on existing and new observation technologies to detect and quantify plastics in the ocean. The meeting aimed for a joint understanding of the challenge, including the impacts of plastics on life in the ocean and feedback to life on land, including humans, and a common goal to make progress towards addressing the problem. The plastics life-cycle when in the ocean was at the center of the challenge for developing a conceptual model which then was used to look at different socio-economic and environmental scenarios to explore possible futures.

Those interested in participating in the workshop were asked to contact Rene Garello to discuss their contributions to the workshop.

Workshop Outcomes

The main outcomes of the workshop is a draft road map giving recommendations on how to facilitate comprehensive detection and quantitative mapping of amount and impacts of plastics in the oceans and to create the relevant knowledge societal decision and policy makers need to address the challenge posed by plastic to human and non-human life. This road map covers the next five years (2019-2023) and comes with a report sumarizing the workshop deliberations. The road map focuses in particular on the innovations required and feasible to improve the current state-of-the-art in monitoring plastics in the oceans and developing services for data and knowledge sharing. The road map and workshop report are currently being prepared for publication.

The workshop participants were also encouraged to submit manuscripts to the Spring 2019 Theme issue of Earthzine, which is focusing on “Ocean Plastic and Marine Debris;” see the call for manuscripts.

Committees

Workshop Program Committee

René Garello (chair)

Jay Pearlman

Hans-Peter Plag

List of Workshop Participants

There are 46 registered participants (participants, speakers, chairs, program committee members, authors, guest) as of 13:52, 21st March 2019

Logistics

Venue

Travel Logistics

Brest can be easily reached by plane, train or cars. For the transportation from the hotels to the meeting venue, participants were asked to share taxis where possible.

Accommodation

No arrangements were made for accommodation. It was recommended to book a hotel in the center of Brest, using on-line booking services (e.g., booking.com, hotels.com, ...).

Restaurants

Lunch on Monday and Tuesday and dinner on Monday were complementary.

Schedule and Program

Schedule

Time

Session Description

November 26, 201809:00-10:30

Opening Session

The opening session set the stage for the workshop. After a welcome notes from René Garello, the session featured four keynotes summarizing the knowledge about the origin of plastics in the oceans, the impacts of the plastic on life in the oceans and on land, the observation approaches to detecting and quantifying plastice in the oceans, and options for mitigating the threat of plastics to life in the oceans and on land.

November 26, 201811:00-12:30

Session 1: The Plastics Life Cycle

The session reviewed the life cycle of plastics (including mirco plastics) with the aim of developing a conceptual model that indicates the applications, beneficiaries, as well as key decision and policy makers. The session discussed options for interventions that could impact the plastics that enter the oceans and/or remove plastics from the oceans.

November 26, 201814:00-16:00

Session 2: Detecting and Quantifying Plastics in the Oceans

The session reviewed the current state-of-the art in observations that allow for the detection and mapping of plastics in the oceans, and provide data for quantifying the amount of these plastics in ocean waters, marine life, and ocean sediments. The review covered in situ and remote sensing observations, as well as citizen scientists efforts.

November 26, 201816:30-18:00

Session 3: Improving Observations of Plastics in the Oceans

The session discussed promising innovative developments and concepts that could significantly increase the data available for plastics in the ocean waters, in the coastal zone, in marine life and in recent sediments. The goal of the session was to contribute to a road map for the next five years to ensure that the SDG Indicator 14.1.1 can be quantified with particular focus on plastics.

November 27, 201809:00-11:00

Session 4: Data and Knowledge Sharing in Support of Decision and Policy Making

The goal of this session was the identification of promising activities that could facilitate and ensure the availability of data and knowledge concerning amount, type and impacts of plastics in the oceans for those social agents who are addressing the challenge posed by plastics.

November 27, 201811:30-13:00

Session 5: Road Map

A draft road map was developed based on the outcome of previous sessions that recommends steps towards comprehensive detection and quantitative mapping. This road map covers the time slot up to 2023.

November 27, 201814:00-16:00

Session 6: White Paper on Marine Litter Monitoring

The session discussed the contents of a white paper on marine litter monitoring.